Halfway Done

This summer I am doing something I thought I would NEVER do. Jon and I signed up for a 10 week fitness program called Farrells Extreme Bodyshaping. We started 5 weeks ago and we are at the halfway point. Before our first class, we had an orientation in which we were weighed, body fat measured, measurements were taken, we ran a timed mile, we did sit ups and push ups, and finally sit and reach. A before picture was also taken. I was really nervous before and during the orientation, and VERY self aware. New people, new place, and new situations. I reluctantly went through the orientation. And I have been going back six mornings a week. I have only missed one class, because, well, Josie was getting adopted that day and we had to be downtown Des Moines at 8:00 AM.

Today I had to go for 5 week testing. We had to do all the above, except the picture. However, they showed me my before picture, and that was almost as painful as taking it. I was blown away by my results today. I doubled the amount of sit ups in a minute, I did several more push ups in a minute, and I decreased my mile time by 47 seconds, and my body fat decreased almost 3 points! Perhaps the best part was that I didn't even walk at all while running. This is a HUGE improvement for me.

I write this not to toot my own horn...I have a long way to go. Some of my team mates had incredible improvements and I couldn't be prouder of them. I say this because this is something I thought I couldn't do. I thought I was too out of shape. I thought I didn't have time. I thought I would make a fool out of myself, etc, etc, etc. Do I enjoy getting up and going each morning? No - but I am so glad I am doing this. I am even contemplating continuing on after this 10 weeks is up!

So today I am going to celebrate and then on Monday I will buckle down and see what the next 5 weeks will bring. I say BRING IT ON!

I've Got Issues

Anybody who knows me understands that I have a few issues.

• I really struggle with different foods on my plate touching each other.
• I have issues with fruit roll ups, cookies, muffins, chocolate, soda... okay you get the idea.
• I rarely make my bed in the morning, however, I will make it before I go to bed because I don't like to sleep with the sheets messed up.
• I can't stand being late. It drives me crazy. I always wear a watch. I even sleep with my watch on my wrist.
• I don't like coffee and I don't like to scrapbook.
• I don't like sweaty people touching me. This did not help my short lived basketball career.

The one "issue" that comes around this time of year is fireworks. I just don't get them. I know they are pretty and all, but really? In my past experiences with fireworks I would load up all my bug sprayed kids into the van and drive to some open field. Then we would all unload with multiple lawn chairs in hand. We would then try to find a place to sit and watch these fireworks. We would always be there early, because, well, I don't like to be late. About five minutes into the wait my kids are fighting about which chair to sit in, or who has to sit by Hannah, or all the bugs. Or they need a drink or snack or something which I didn't pack because, well, that would make us late.

By the time the fireworks start it is way past the kids' bedtime and two out of the four kids are sleeping only to wake up to loud booming noises. They then start crying and want to go home. But, by golly, they are going to watch these fireworks and even like it!

So now the fireworks are done and we drag our half asleep, mosquito bitten, kids and lawn chairs back to the van. We wait in what seems like forever traffic. Four sleepy, cranky kids in the van makes for two cranky parents in the van as well. Hours later we get home and carry each sleeping child from the van to the house. The kids get settled into bed and hopefully don't have nightmares about the loud booming noises.

And then my favorite part - the kids are crabby the whole next day because they went to bed way too late. All just to watch some fireworks. I think we might skip the firework thing this year. Anyone have an issue with that?